FamilySearch has some digitized records if you know where to find them. It can sometimes seem like magic finding them. I admit to being one of those that use the generic search engine and being often frustrated with the results.

Luckily there are some magical people in genealogy groups that have been there and done that AND gotten results.

Essex County, Virginia
Digitized Records Online

My understanding is that there is an active effort to digitize even more records. Check back!

Another very useful tip is that there are digitized records and images available but NOT indexed. Go to the Images tab on FamilySearch and enter the location that you are interested in.

A BIG thank you goes to Rena Ransome and Whitlock-Osborn Carolyn for these tips!

Facebook also offers a variety of helpful groups if you are researching Essex County, Old Rappahannock County and Virginia:

….. Families from the Northern Neck area

….. Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Society 

…. Virginia Genealogy Network